Good boy: Therapy dog wins “August” contest

“The most expressive dog you’ll ever meet,” is what Gilbert resident Laura Ibsen wrote about “Patches,” her three‑year‑old Yorkshire Terrier. Local wildlife painter Linda Budge refers to Patches as “The Winner.” Ibsen’s dog recently took top honors in Budge’s month‑long contest “Dog Days of August,” in which contestants submitted photos of their dogs and essays describing their personalities. The prize is a professional, custom‑framed, oil portrait of Patches by Budge (valued at $1,950) and a set of 50 greeting cards featuring the painting. With 122 entries in its first year, the contest raised $1,755 for animal charities throughout Maricopa county.